FourteenCold darkness settled across the emerald isle. Bck trees moved to the icy breeze. Nothing stirred amid the dark gloom, until a pair of headlights stabbed through the inky shadows. The lone road was lit up for a time, a bck limousine making its way along the road. Lights illuminated the ancient trees as it sped along. In the distance, a castle stood with several lights glowing from behind windows.

  The limo pressed on. The trees began to thin, and a high stone wall appeared. A bck gate opened as the light from the headlights touched a family crest above the entrance.

  The limo slowed as it passed the threshold. Wheels turned onto cobblestone. The gate closed behind and locked into pce.

  The long car made its way around a rge statue in the middle of the courtyard. Shadows painted the hard stone of a man holding book and looking to the stars.

  The front doors to the castle opened and a woman stepped out. She wore a finely tailored bck suit with a white shirt underneath the jacket. The colr glowed in the dim lights. Bck rimmed gsses shined as the limo slowed to a halt before the entrance. Bck lips smiled as the woman bowed slightly.

  The driver stepped out of the limo and raced around the other side. He opened the door and bowed.

  I stepped out first and looked up at Castle Umbra with a blending of awe, relief, and pleasant memories. The castle had been part of my family for hundreds of years. It had stood the test of time, surviving wars, conflicts, invasions, and terrible magical mishaps.

  I remembered coming here in my youth. Our family often spent our holiday here, when things grew difficult back in the states or simply to get away. It was our home away from home and I was happy to be back.

  “Welcome, Lord Umbra,” the woman in the suit said as she continued to bow.

  My gaze fell to the woman and my eyes widened a hair. I bowed immediately.

  The woman stood up and I did the same. She looked at me with a no none-sense attitude. Bck hair was tied into a bun and she held some features that I recognized.

  The woman gave me a knowing smile. “It has been a long time. I’m Victoria Hobbs, Caretaker of Umbra Castle.”

  A memory smmed into me. “Victoria, you’re Victor’s daughter. I remember you when we came to visit.”

  Victoria nodded. “My father passed a few years ago, and I inherited his title and duties.”

  I nodded as I felt my mother, aunt, and cousins step out of the limo. I turned to them, seeing the comforting warmth in their eyes as they looked on our family’s home.

  Victoria turned her attention to my mother and bowed again. “Mistress Umbra, so good to see you again. I’m happy for your resurrection and return to this realm.”

  Rose nodded. “It’s good to have returned.”

  Victoria stood up straight. “The castle has been stocked and prepped for your family’s return, per your requests. If you discover anything cking, I will have it remedied.”

  “Very good,” my mother said with a slight nod.

  Victoria stood to the side and held an open hand to the entrance, “Welcome home.”

  I led the way. My ring pulsed along my finger, feeling Dana and Beth’s happy gazes on the castle. They had spent some time here, but not as much as my family did. They loved the mansion, and talked about those happy times when they came here for long summers.

  Aunt Lily looked around with warm eyes.

  Sensations of my mother looking to me filled me. I turned to look up at her and she gave me a comforting smile.

  Inside, warmth washed over my senses. Old world opulence filled every wall, railing and hung from the ceiling. Golden chandeliers glowed. Impeccable rugs covered the floors, and fine tapestries filled the walls. The main foyer had a curved staircases that led up the next floor. Paintings of family portraits filled spaces between tapestries. Polished, mahogany wood shined in the light.

  I remembered how the castle was updated with the times. Heating and electrical were added many decades earlier. Old castles were drafty, but not this one. It was given every modern convince money could buy.

  Victoria talked as she walked, “Everything has been set for an extended stay here in Umbra Castle. Per Lady Umbra’s request, we have minimal staff here. I will be overseeing your stay. My sister, Mina, will tend to your rooms, cooking, and anything else you may need. The driver, Harold, will be avaible at all times for any excursions you may need. He is also a reliable bodyguard and is properly armed, in case force and defense is needed.

  “We are ready to assist in anything you may need or desire, from preparing ritual rooms to disposing of bodies. It is our pleasure to serve the Umbra family once again.”

  I nodded as we reached the stairs and began to climb them.

  Victoria continued, “Your rooms have been prepared. They are all close together to the master bedchamber. Do not hesitate with any request. We are here to serve.”

  We reached the top of the stairs and made our way deeper into the castle. I drank it all in, basking in the many fond memories. It still held that magic, and I was looking forward to an extended stay.

  It didn’t take long before we reached our quarters.

  Victoria turned and we all stopped.

  “The Master Bedchamber is just through the main doors. Harold will be bringing up your suitcases in a few moments. I’m sure everyone is tired from the journey. I have one of the private sitting rooms ready with hors d’oeuvres and drinks.”

  I looked to everyone gathered, “Drinks?”

  Beth and Dana nodded. My mother and aunt nodded with kind smiles.

  “Very good. I’ll leave you all to settle in,” Victoria said with a bow.

  We all watched her stand up, turn, and walk away with perfect posture and grace.

  “My buzz went away from the car ride. I need more,” Dana said as she turned around and began walking.

  Aunt Lily and Beth followed my cousin.

  I looked at my mother. Rose reached over and took my hand into hers.

  “It’s feels so good to be back in our ancestral home.”

  I nodded. “I feel the same,” I said before I looked to the side.

  My mother reached up and touched my cheek. She moved my face until our gazes met. She didn’t have to say anything. I already knew she wanted me to talk to her.

  “I don’t know how I feel about opening a rift here. This is our home, just like the mansion back in the states. The presence of a rift may bring other hunters and beings of light here,” I said in a low tone.

  My mother squeezed my hand. “It’s a concern, but a small one, my son. Once a rift is open, it cannot be closed. Even if our enemies seal it up in cement and demolish our home, the pulse of the rift will spread out and touch all those who are ready.”

  “We may still be sacrificing our home in the process.”

  “Gerald, everything we do is for the dark gods and the dreamnds. There can be no advancement without sacrifice.”

  I nodded. “I still wonder if we can do this another way?”

  “I trust your instincts as my son and our high priest. We will follow your direction,” Rose said with deep warmth.

  I nodded and began walking. I tugged on my mother’s hand and she walked with me. We walked down to the open doorway to a nearby sitting room. Light spilled out as shadows moved.

  I stepped in and smiled. Dana was pouring a dark amber liquid into gsses. Aunt Lily and Beth lifted their gsses and nodded to each other. The three of them turned to my mother and I as we stepped in. My mother closed the door behind her.

  The table in the middle of room was filled with ptes of food, tiny sandwiches, full gsses, and different bottles of spirits. Dana wasted no time bringing full gsses to me and Rose. My cousin’s smile was infectious as she handed the gsses over.

  With a gss in everyone’s hand, we lifted them up, gave a nod and took a long sip.

  Warmth travelled down my throat as I enjoyed the taste. We all took a seat and rexed as the warm room gave off a hazy comfort.

  “I know the journey here was long, but we can’t lose focus on what we’re trying to accomplish,” I said.

  All eyes turned to me.

  I continued, “I know we’re here to open another rift. We are also here to find Theo and see about bringing back Aunt Violet. Those will be our main goals, but we don’t have to rush. I want to make sure we achieve our goals, without giving our enemies a chance to stop or slow us down.”

  Everyone nodded with attentive eyes.

  “I also want everyone here to know, our visit is not just achieving our dark designs. After everything that happened on the estate, I think we earned a little rest and rexation.”

  Dana’s smile widened. She took a deep drink before holding it and looking at me with bright eyes.

  “It feels so good to hear that. I feel like I’ve been losing my mind tely and some rexation may be just what we need.”

  I smiled.

  My mother sat poised as she spoke up, “A little rest is just what we all need to regain our strength, but bringing back Violet, and the Aspect Ritual should remain high on our agenda.”

  Beth nodded and pulled out her cell phone. “I already contacted Theo with a text. He wrote back, very excited that we were visiting. I didn’t tell him about you Aunty Rose or you, mother. I informed him that Gerald, Dana, and myself were visiting and wanted to see him.

  “He was so happy, he invited us to a club in Dublin, The Laughing Gargoyle. He is running the event at the club, and put us on the guest list.”

  I looked over at Beth and nodded. “It seems the three of us are going on a date tomorrow night.”

  Beth smiled shyly.

  My mother nodded, her smile fading a touch. “I wish Lily and I could join the three of you, but our presence may alert our enemies.”

  I reached over and pced my hand on my mother’s hand. “I wish both of you could come with us, but we still have to ensure we have everything we need to prepare for the aspect ritual. From what I’ve read, we all have to be together when it is performed. That means, we need Aunt Violet and Theo.”

  “Will Theo be joining the coven?” Dana asked.

  “If he wants to. I won’t turn family away, but it is up to him if he wants to join us.”

  “He’ll join us. After his mother returns, there is no way he will say no. He will never say no to us,” Dana said with an evil smirk.

  I smiled. “He will be given the choice, just like everyone here.”

  I looked at everyone gathered. Swirls touched my spirit as I looked upon the women I have always loved. Thoughts drifted to my aunt Violet. I could feel the pull from my mother and aunt, a primal need to bring their sister back from the dreamnds. I had to admit to myself, I wanted her back too. Having the family together once again would be a reunion of my dreams.

  Dark thoughts crept into my mind as everyone gathered began to drink and talk. I caught snippets of relief and excitement to be here, but a darkness within me dug deeper. My greedy needs cwed at me. It wasn’t just about the women I love, but the taste of power and doing something greater. Each passing moment sang to me, speaking of truths I denied. The barriers fell away and I accepted my pce in the world. I wasn’t some hero, like from a movie or book. I wasn’t the vilin either. I was just a man, ready to take what he wanted from a world that didn’t care.

  I sipped on my drink as I watched my coven, my family. The bonds grew stronger between us. The outside world could never accept or understand us. I knew we were meant to be together. I just needed more power to protect us from the light.

  My mother turned her attention to me and smiled. That damned smile set my world on fire.

  Tonight, we would rest. Tomorrow, we set our dark designs into motion and I was very much looking forward to it.